Little Syllables: The Blog
Reading about Reading, Writing, and Editing
I’m building up my collection of books about reading, writing, and editing. I would love recommendations for other books that fellow readers, writers, and editors!
These are the books I have so far. Give me recommendations in the comments.
Review - High Treason at the Grand Hotel by Kelly Oliver
I received a free e-galley of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
High Treason at the Grand Hotel is the second installment in the Fiona Figg series by Kelly Oliver. I would call it a cozy historical mystery, similar to the Maisie Dobbs series or the Dandy Gilver series. Fiona Figg is an amateur spy/detective during WWI. In this novel, she is sent on a mission to Paris.
I haven’t read the first book in the series, and while I think it would help to learn more about some of the major characters (Fiona herself, as well as her friend Clifford), the author does a great job of providing background so this novel can stand on its own. I found the book entertaining and sometimes funny, but there are also some very serious scenes. I was interested to learn that several of the characters are based on real people, which lends some depth to the story. I also appreciated Oliver’s efforts to empower and represent women throughout the novel.
The book left me wanting in some respects — I felt that Fiona accidentally helps more than she does intentionally. She bumbles around and makes frequent mistakes and misjudgments. She gets sidetracked. Ultimately, she does solve some of the mysteries introduced in the book, but her successes seemed to hinge more on coincidence rather than her own skill. I also felt that Fiona’s boss, Captain Hall, was portrayed unrealistically in his unreliability and his refusal to have a coherent conversation with his agent. Frankly, I found the relationship between Captain Hall and Fiona to be the most frustrating part of this novel! Perhaps that was intentional on the author’s part as the dynamic forced Fiona to work more independently that she may have otherwise.
Overall, I felt this was a fun read, filled with memorable characters. I plan to add other books in this series to my to-read list.
High Treason at the Grand Hotel by Kelly Oliver is available now on Kindle and in paperback.
To read more reviews and see book recommendations, use the post tags below!
Christmas Countdown
I have four kids. Making the holidays magical seems like a full-time job during November and December each year. This year, we’ve had to plan a toned-down version of our holiday traditions. My favorite tradition is the Christmas Book Advent!
Each November, I gather up all our holiday picture books and wrap them up. I try to plan activities to go along with most of the books, so I label the wrapped books with a number indicating which day they are to be opened. I write the day’s activity on the back of the label. This could be anything from “write letters to Santa” to “movie night” or “drive-thru Christmas lights.”
Then the kids take turns opening the books through December.
Here are the holiday books we have in our collection, though I’d love suggestions for others! There are a few of these I don’t love and would be happy to trade for something better.
Reading and Writing
Obviously reading and writing go hand in hand. A writer needs a reader. A reader needs a writer. But looking at it more deeply, it’s important to understand that writers also need to be readers. Reading widely is the best way to improve your writing abilities. I’m not talking only about reading books about writing, though that can be helpful. A writer needs to be immersed in the written word. Not only does it help the writer better understand a variety of perspectives, but it can help the writer see what has already been written in their chosen genre.
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
For novice writers, such as those writing a personal history, it can be especially helpful to see how others have written similar manuscripts.
What types of books do you read that help you become a better writer?
Nonfiction November
Just as with fiction, I enjoy the variety found in nonfiction reading. I inherited a love of history from my father, so I often find myself reading historical accounts. I’m also intrigued by personality profiles. As an INFJ, I tend to be very introspective, so self-help books also lure me in. I love reading about people—their lives, their choices, their loves, their losses. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite nonfiction reads.
Historial Nonfiction
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
Memoir
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
Becoming by Michelle Obama
I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree: A Memoir of a Schindler's List Survivor by Laura Hillman
Self Improvement
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
I still have quite a few nonfiction picks on my to-read list, including:
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice & Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Hunger by Roxane Gay
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
What nonfiction books are on your favorites list?
Editing Steps
One of the most important things I learned while completing a copyediting certificate was how to use checklists and work in a very methodical way. When you’ve readied your manuscript for editing and sent it my way, there are a series of basic steps I will follow for each project:
Save.
I copy all files so that I have a working file and an original file. I also advise authors to make sure they have a backup copy of everything before any changes are made.
Look.
Once I have all the files in order, I’ll glance through the entire document, familiarizing myself with it. I’ll look at any illustrations, charts, graphs, etc. so I know what to expect as I read. I’ll watch for any glaring problems, standardize fonts throughout, and find and replace all double spaces.
Read.
Before beginning any editing, I will read the manuscript. For a short document, I would read the entire text at this stage. For a sample edit of a larger work, I would read the portion meant to be edited. If I notice issues during this reading, I’ll simply make a note for myself and continue. No changes are made on the first reading.
Style.
A large part of copyediting is applying a consistent style to the text. In order to achieve this, editors create style sheets to record editorial decisions made on the manuscript. This sheet can include a list of characters or unique words, punctuation rules, word usage notes, details on how numbers are handled, citation examples, etc. I will pass this style sheet on to you when I return your edited manuscript.
Edit.
Now the fun begins. The first round of editing will generally look at the larger picture, then I narrow down as I work. So I begin with issues that affect the entire text (or the entire portion being edited for the sample). By the second round of edits, I’ll be looking at each punctuation mark, word, and sentence. Each of these things should work toward the whole.
Clean.
Before returning a manuscript to the author, I clean up the working file. This includes editing any queries to the author to make sure they’re clear and concise, removing anything the author doesn’t need to see, and running a final spell check. This helps ensure that I haven’t accidentally introduced any errors. After all, editors are human too!
There are a lot of variables when it comes to having your work edited, but finding an editor who is flexible and responsive is very important. Knowing how the process works can help an author and editor maintain a clear line of communication through it all.
Intriguing Mystery Series
I read a wide variety of books, but mysteries are usually my go-to when nothing else is appealing to me. I do enjoy stand-alone mysteries, but I also enjoy a great series. There is something about the predictability of reading familiar characters in new situations that appeals to me. Here are some of my favorite mystery series:
Maisie Dobbs Series
by Jacqueline Winspear
This series is wonderful as each book builds upon the previous books. You really see Maisie’s character development when you read them all in order. These books are set in the years after World War I and explore facets of that time that I’ve never read about before.
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Series
by Louise Penny
Canadian author Louise Penny’s books are incredible. The characters are vivid and memorable, and you see them grow and change throughout the series. These are not simple detective stories, but each one delves deeper into the communities in which the characters live and work. These books made me add Quebec to my travel bucket list!
Dandy Gilver Series
by Catriona McPherson
Scottish author Catriona McPherson offers a fun amateur detective in Dandy Gilver. I love the titles of the books in this series. These books can stand alone better than those in some series. I love the glimpses into Scottish life I get from reading these and I was disappointed when my local library didn’t carry the later installments in the series.
Flavia de Luce Series
by Alan Bradley
This is a series I frequently recommend. Young Flavia de Luce is a great narrator and amateur detective. She’s a budding chemist who excels at getting into trouble and solving mysteries. The series doesn’t start particularly strongly, but the books get better and better as the series continues. I also love the cover art!
Writing a History—Decide What to Include
One of the biggest dilemmas of the personal or family history writer is deciding what to include, what to gloss over, and what to leave out entirely. This can be a sensitive issue, especially if there are differing opinions within the family. Here is my basic advice on how to handle sensitive information:
Write it all down first.
Write your story in its entirety. Include everything. This draft is for your eyes only, so don’t worry about offending anyone while you write this. Writing your story down will help you understand exactly what story you want to tell. You can weed out problem areas later on.
Think about your audience.
Are you writing this just for your own family to read? Will it be published online or in print? These are important considerations before you move on to revising. The fact of the matter is, whatever you write could be read more widely than you intend.
Also consider the impact that omitting certain information would have on the narrative. Make sure that your reader isn’t going to feel like they’re missing something. For example, if it’s important to your story to mention that your Great-Uncle Joe had a drinking problem, then make sure you include it! That doesn’t mean you have to go into great detail about all of Uncle Joe’s indiscretions. If you’re unsure how to sensitively mention something, consult your editor.
Know the legal ramifications.
If you’re writing anything that could be considered defamatory or libelous, tread very carefully. If the person you’re writing about is deceased, you can write just about anything you want to about them. But consider possible ramifications if that person’s family were to read what you’ve written. Sometimes the best course is to change identifying details to avoid harm, or only refer to certain people by their initials. This must be taken on a case-by-case basis.
When it comes to writing anything that could be damaging for a living person, it’s best to consult an attorney to help protect yourself from lawsuits. Do not publish something that could damage a person’s reputation or livelihood without a legal consultation!
Consider the value.
Once you’ve made sure that you’re protected from a legal standpoint, consider the value of the information you are considering publishing. Some sensitive information about your forebears (such as health information, spiritual experiences, criminal histories) could be valuable to family members now or in the future. But publishing sensitive information that doesn’t have a direct impact on your personal or family story may not be as useful.
When in doubt, consult your editor.
Professional editors generally have experience and resources to help you in these matters. Often, an impartial set of eyes will be enough to help you make a decision regarding the sensitive material. For particularly complex issues, consider consulting an editor who specializes in sensitivity reading!
Prepare Your Manuscript for Editing
As you prepare your manuscript for editing, there are a few things to keep in mind. As every manuscript is different, the need for these items will vary depending on the project.
Make copies of original sources for your editor to check. This should include anything that you would cite—both direct quotations and paraphrases. Be sure to include all the bibliographic information you have. Remember: it’s always better to cite the original source if you can! Your editor’s job is to make sure you’ve handled these items correctly so that you can avoid violating Fair Use Law. Your editor will also ensure that your reference sheet is complete and formatted consistently.
Procure permissions from outside sources. It’s important to play it safe and ask for permission before referencing someone else’s work. When in doubt about whether or not you need it, ask for permission! Most editors will include a clause in their contract indicating that it is the author’s responsibility to avoid plagiarism and get necessary permissions. Many things will qualify as “fair use,” and can be used without written permission, but there are several factors that come into play in determining what qualifies. You can find more information about Fair Use Law on the U.S. Copyright Office website.
Create a style sheet, glossary, or timeline for your editor. Most editors work with a style sheet. This is a document the editor uses to keep track of all editorial decisions made during the edit. An author can start their own style sheet, glossary, or timeline to pass on to the editor to speed up the process. A style sheet can include any editorial decisions you’ve already made, such as unique spellings, colloquialisms used, and stylistic preferences. Make sure any glossary or spelling list is organized alphabetically. This can be especially helpful in memoirs, personal histories, and fiction, where there will often be personal names used and place names referenced. A timeline should include any dates referenced within the text in chronological order. Include a brief description of relevant information for each date. If the author can provide this information in advance, the editor won’t have to spend time fact-checking each one.
Save a copy of everything. Your editor will probably do the same. Make sure you have a copy of all your original material in a safe place. If something should go wrong, you will be glad to have a backup!
What I’m Working On
To give you an idea of the types of projects I can help you with, here are some projects I’ve worked on this year:
Transcribing an oral history. I’m currently doing this project for a family member who spent years of visits to relatives recording stories and conversations. She has typed up summaries of the recordings, but now I’m doing a near-verbatim transcription. This will enable various family members to have better access to the information they need to complete personal and family history projects, as well as helping the younger generations get to know the elders better. This has been a fun project to work on as I know these people personally. It has required some effort getting accustomed to accents, but it has been well worth it!
Copyediting a welcome book for a rental house. This project was a great, short project. This client had written a welcome book for her second home in Hawaii in preparation of having visitors stay unaccompanied. This booklet contained information on caring for the house and yard, finding resources in the local community, and basic requests for those who visit. I was able to help this client maintain consistency throughout the document, look for missing items that a potential visitor might like to know more about, and cleaning up typos and punctuation. Now I need to visit Hawaii.
Editing a 300-page personal history. I spent several months doing a full, comprehensive edit on a personal history. This edit was extensive, including several full passes, streamlining the formatting, as well as all the usual copyediting tasks. This manuscript consisted of journal entries, letters, and commentary. Much of the text was written by the subject of the history with gaps filled by her children. It was a challenging project to nail down formatting for all these different voices within the text.
As you can see, I work with a variety of materials in my editing and transcription work. I love being in a position to help people take what they have and make it better. Contact me today to get started with your project.
I’m offering discounted rates for projects booked during October and November 2020!